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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Yell County, Arkansas published by Southern Publishing Company in 1891.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Zachariah G. Dyer. Many years ago Dr. James Dyer, a graduate in medicine from an institute in Nashville, Tenn., and under directorship of Prof. Bowlings, established himself in Sumner County, and opened an office for the practice of medicine, which he successfully conducted for forty-five years, winning the confidence of his patients and the esteem of his fellow-men, and here was born to himself and wife, Martha (Hallum) Dyer, their son, Zachariah, the subject of this sketch, his birth occurring January 17, 1835. He was placed in the schools of his native home and given a good common-school education, and on arriving at maturity busied himself with merchandising and learning the tanner’s trade, till the threatening cloud of war burst forth in all its fury, when he cast aside all business to become a soldier in the Confederate Army, enlisting in the Bennett Cavalry, Company F, of the Seventh Battalion, under command of Capt. Puryear, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth Nos. 1 and 2, Iuka, Okalona, and with Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri, and a number of skirmishes, and was taken prisoner in North Alabama. While under command of Col. C. R. Barton, who had charge of the Second Tennessee Regiment, he was again captured at Tuscumbia, by the Fifth Ohio boys, remaining with this company till the death of the captain, when he was paroled. Returning home he reopened his tan-yard, which he operated for ten months, subsequently joining the army again and doing duty in Desha County till peace once more reigned over the land, when he accepted a position with Col. Joe Branch. Serving him for ten months he went back to Tennessee and farmed, making two crops, and learning of the healthful climate and productive soil and the many other advantages to be gained on becoming a resident of Arkansas, emigrated to Dardanelle Township, December 27, 1867, where he purchased 120 acres of fine land, which he improved and cultivated, and commodious barns and buildings for stock, a good, comfortable dwelling and a prolific orchard, planted to some of the finest and best known varieties of plums, peaches, etc., and several kinds of the smaller fruits, are positive proofs of his determination to make his home one of the finest in the State. He was married December 27, 1857, to Miss Ellen P. Harrison, who was born in Wilson County, Tenn., December 20, 1835, and daughter of E. R. Harrison, and to them were born Martha R. (wife of M. A. Banks), E. H., Joel, Mary (wife of Thomas Alley), Jackson W., Gibbs W. and Grace. After a lingering illness of many years Mrs. Dyer passed to her final home October 1, 1888, and was laid to rest in New Hope Cemetery, her resting place being marked by an elegant monument as a lasting tribute to the memory of one who though gone, is still loved and cherished by a mourning husband and family. He is a man honored and respected in religious, social and political circles, being connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and is steward, class-leader and trustee of the same; and as an A. F. & A. M. affiliates with Centerville Lodge No. 462, and was its efficient secretary for a number of years; is a stanch Democrat, always voting with that party; is also a trusted member of the building committee, and a liberal supporter of all religious, charitable and educational enterprises.

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This family biography is one of 124 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Yell County, Arkansas published in 1891.  For the complete description, click here: Yell County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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